Joy MacPhail Calls for Citizens' Assembly

March 2002. Original text at http://www.bcndp.ca/node/1404. Emphases ours.

NDP calls for non-partisan approach to electoral reform - March 15, 2002

New Democratic Party Opposition leader Joy MacPhail today proposed a framework for a non-partisan review of B.C.'s electoral system to Premier Gordon Campbell. "In the past decade a consensus has been emerging among people of all political persuasions on the need for substantive reforms to our political institutions," said MacPhail. "Mr. Campbell himself has recognized this with his New Era commitment to appoint a citizen's assembly on electoral reform."

"The New Democratic Party urges the B.C. government to honour their election commitment and move forward with a process of public consultation on the design of a more proportional electoral system." MacPhail stressed the importance of ensuring a non-partisan approach to electoral reform, citing the need to ensure that BC's regional diversity and unique geography is given fair representation.

"It would be a step backwards if one party or partisan organization were to design a voting system or determine electoral boundaries. If British Columbians are to have any confidence in their voting system, it must not be perceived to further any partisan interest."

The proposed framework is outlined in an open letter addressed to Premier Campbell. A copy of the letter can be viewed on the B.C. NDP web site. Go to:

www.bc.ndp.ca/news/020315_PRlet.pdf

Several organizations committed to electoral reform have welcomed the directions of the NDP proposal.

"A fair electoral system has to be developed with a fair process," said Stephen Phillips, chair of History and Political Science at Langara College. "The NDP proposal is inclusive and sensible."

During the 2001 provincial election, the B.C. Liberal's New Era platform committed to "appoint a Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform to assess all possible models for electing the MLAs, including preferential ballots, proportional representation, and our current electoral system."